Rail anchor



Nov. 4, 1930. c. B. SHEPHERD I 1,780,444

RAIL ANCHOR Filed Nov. 20, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet l Nov. 4, 1930.

I I f 30 Patented Nov. 4-, 1930 U IT ire stares CHARLES E. SHEPHERD, 0F SPRINGFIELD, IVQ- SSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE AS SIGNMENTS, THE P & III ILLINOIS COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF RAIL ANCHOR Application filed November 28, 1928.

This invention relates to a rail anchor and more particularly to a rail anchor of the spring tension type. Anchors of the spring tension type to be eifective in use must be designed so that they have suthcient spring power to effect a gripping force on the rail base flange. This gripping force must be obtained without exceeding the elastic limit of the spring tension means. Also, the anchors must possess su'fiicient elasticity to accommodate fluctuations in the sizes of rail base flanges without exceeding the elastic limits'of the devices and releasing their grip on the rail base flanges. I

I have found that I can obtain the above results by providing a one-piece rail anchor having a plurality of legs disposed at an angle to each other and adapted to extend transversely across the bottom surface of the rail base, each of said legs having at one end thereof individual rail flange-engaging means or lips and rail flange-engaging means disposed on the opposite ends of said legs.

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a one-piece rail anchor having a plurality of legs adapted to extend transversely across the bottom surface of a rail base, said legs connecting a plurality of rail base flan e-engaging means.

Another object of this invention is a one piece rail anchor having a pair of legs adapted to extend transversely across the bottom surface of a rail base and disposed at an angle to each other.

A further object of this invention is a rail anchor having a plurality of rail flange-engaging means carried by legs extending transversely beneath the rail base flange, said legs being adapted to be moved relatively to each other.

An additional object of this invention is to provide a one-piece rail anchor of the spring tension type which is simple and easy to manufacture, easy to apply and remove, if desired.

Further objects will appear from the following description, appended claims and accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is an isometric view of an anchor embodying the principles of this invention.

Serial No. 320,551.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the anchor applied in position, the dotted lines showing the position of one of the legs during applicaion.

igure 3 is an isometric view of another anchor embodying the principles of this inventlon.

Figure e is a modification of the anchor disclosed in Figures 1, 2 and 3.

Fig. 5 is a side view, in elevation, of the her shown in Fig. 1 illustrating the relative positions of the surfaces 10 and 11 with respect to each other and with respect to the lower member 7, when the anchor is free of the rail.

6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 but illusthe position of the several parts of the i when it is applied to the base portion 0" I rail-oa-d rail, and

7 is a plan view of the form of anchor ate-d in Fig. 3, illustrating the manner *hich the anchor may assume a diagonal position across the rail base when in service.

now to the drawings and more particulan to Figures 1, 2, 5 and 6 the reference numera l designates a leg adapted to extend transversely beneath the rail base and having a lip 2 at one end thereof. A leg 3 is disposed at an angle to the leg 1 and is also adapted to extend transversely beneath the rail base. On one end of the leg 3 there is also disposed a lip 4, this lip being adapted engage the vertical edge of the rail base The legs 1 and 3 at the ends carrying the are spaced apart. The other ends are in very close proximity and are connected to a rail base flange-engaging means 5.

This rail flange-engaging means may be of any type. It may be a singlemeans or it may comprise a plurality of means suitably joined together. In Figures 1, 2, 5 and 6 the rail flange-engaging means comprises a folded over portion having two closely adjacent substantially rigid parallel jaws 6 and 6 adapted to engage the upper surface of the rail base flange which it is intended to grip. The form of these upper jaws may be made of any configuration. In the drawings, and especially Figures 1 and 3, I have illustrated them as being made to conform to the upper surface of the rail base flange which they are intended to grip.

Disposed beneath these two substantially rigid upper members 6 and 6 are two members, one of which, 7, is illustrated in the drawings, the other member being similar but not shown. These lower members may also be made of any desired configuration. In the drawings I have illustrated the lower member 7 as being formed with a recess 7 which receives the lower corner of the base flange of the rail during the initial inward movement of the members 6 and 7 when applying the anchor to a rail. The lower members 7 are disposed. a distance from the upper substantially rigid aws 6 and 6 equal to or slightly greater than the thickness of the rail base flange which it is intended to grip and hold and, together with the upper members, constitute the rail flange-engaging means. In Figure 1 the two upper members 6 and 6 are disposed in close proximity to each oti er as shown-in the drawings, there 9 small space 8 between said members.

In order to provide an upward thrust or pressure, portions of the legs 1 and 3 adjacent the lips 2 and 4 and designated by referen'ce numerals 10 and 11 are disposed planes higher-than the plane of the lower jaw members 7. Consequently, the upward thrust 10 and 11 against the bottom surt'ace of the rail tends to rock the members 6, S and 7 about an axis extending longitudinally of the rail and thereby eifect a stron ripping action on the rail. However, th rm 1 no actual rocking of the said m miss, b.-.t

only a tendency to rock. If desired, the portions 10 and 11 may be disposed in the same plane, but in order to obtain a more powerful upward thrust and produce a resultant torsional stress in the folded portion the portion is disposed in plane hi gher than the portion 11. The disposition of portions 10 and 11 may be accoi'nplished in various-inanners. For instance, the leg may be an upward bend or these portions may be provided with ledges or steps desires.

In this modification the leg 1 is disposed in the same vertical plane occupied by the side surface 12 of the lip 2 and outer of the rigid member 6 in use ad; to engage the eross-tie. as illustrated. ure 2. If desired, the leg 1 may be provi. with a tie-abutti means 13. The rail flan engaging means 5 may be prom. d with t abutting means 14:, which is formed inte 51lly with the folded rail flange-engaging n ears 5. It desired. the lower'portion of the fold may be slotted or cut away.

As previously described, the leg 3 is disposed at an angle to the leg 1. Due to this angularity, the two legs converge at one of their eXt-ren'iities and at the other extremities thereof they are spaced apart, whereby the legs are provided with a spring tension upon distortion. The distance between the inner face 15 of the lip 2 and the vertical edge 16 of the rail flange-engaging means 5 is slightly greater than the Width of a standard rail base flange. The horizontal distance between the inner face 17 of the lip 4 and the vertical edge 16 of the rail flange-engaging means 5 is slightly less than the width of a lard rail base flange. lVhen the anchor applied, relative movement between the leg... is ob tained by pressure (the leg 3 being forced toward the leg 1) whereby distortion is produced. Due to this distortion, the horizontal length of the leg; 3 is effectively increased whereby it is adapted to c ar the vertical edge of the rail base flange r -rna p into position. After application and role of pressure, the leg 3 tends to assume its u mal diagonal or angular position whereby a powerful on the rail is obtained.

In applying this anchor to a rail base flange. the rail flange-engaging means 5 is slipped on. the rail base flange and driven on as far it will go. In this position the leg 1 extends across the rail at right angles to its length and the lip 2 engages over the edge of the base as indicated in nigure 2. The 3 and its lip t will assume the position llustrated in the dotted lines in Figure 2. In other words, the lip 4 of the leg 3 will be disposed beneath the rail base flange, but the lip 2, due to the length of the leg 1 and the fact that said lip 2 normally projects above lip 4- (Fig. 5), will engage over the lower corner of the rail base so as to hold the anchor in position while the lip 1 is forced over the edge of the rail. Force is then applied in any suitable manner to the outer face or side of the lip 4, whereby it is moved. toward the leg 1. Due to this movement the leg 3 is distorted and its horizontal length relative to the rail base flange is eftectively increased. After its length has increased sufficiently. it will clear the vertical edge of the rail base flange, whereupon both lips 2 and 4 will move to their fully applied positions. Upon the release of the pressure, the leg 3 will seek to assume its normal position. This causes the leg 3 to assume a diae'on ell position whereby its length relative to the base is decreased and a powerful biting grip obtained.

In Figure 3 I have illustrated a. rail anchor embodying the principles of the above-do scribed anchor. It diflers from the abovedescribed anchor in that both legs 20 and 21 are forked and the horizontal distance between the inner surfaces 25 and 26 of lips 23 and 24: and the vertical edge 27 of the rail flange-engaging means 22 is less than the width of the rail. Also, the tieabutting means 28 produced as above described may be bent outwardly, thus off-setting it relative to the rail flange-engaging means 22. In all other respects this amber is similar to the llf) anchor illustrated in Figure 1 and described above. In applying this anchor the rail flange-engaging means 22 is placed upon the rail base flange and driven on as far as it will go. At the end of this operation the lips 23 and 24 will be disposed beneath the rail base flange, due to the fact that the horizontal distance between the inner faces 25 and 26 of said. lips 23 and 24 and the vertical edge 27 of the rail base flange-engaging means is less than the normal width of a standard rail base flange. By means of any suitable device. such as tongs, pliers and the like, the lip members 23 and 24 are forced toward each other whereby the legs 20 and 21 are distorted and eflectively elongated. The application of pressure is continued until the inner edges 25 and 26 of the lips 23 and 24 clear the vertical edge of the rail base flange and snap into position. The pressure is then released, and the legs 20 and 21 seek to assume their normal position, the lips 23 and 24 producing a powerful grip on the rail base flange.

The modification illustrated in Figure 4 differs from that illustrated in the preceding figures in that the jaw member 30 is formed of one piece and its upper member 31 is substanti ally rigid. The lower member 32, disposed beneath the upper rigid member 31 and cooperating therewith to form a rail base flange-engaging means, is formed with two diverging arms 33 and 34 which carry lips 35 and 36. As in the other modification. the distances between the inner faces 37 and 38 of the lips 35 and 36 and the vertical edge 39 is normally less than the width of the rail base flange. Ifdesi'red, the upper or lower member may be made resilient. In application, this anchor is applied to the rail base flange similarly to the anchor illustrated in Figure 3 and above described.

The anchors illustrated in Figures 3 and 4 may be used either as right hand or left hand anchors. They can all be installed with the head or jaw ends inside. The railroad track, instead of the usual practice of one inside and one outside. This simplifies installation and permits ready inspection. No matter which side of the anchor is applied next to the cross-tie, when tilting occurs the leg farthest removed from the cross-tie tends to move upwardly and has no tendency to work down and oil the rail. Under pressure of the jaw end of the anchor against the cross-tie the rail flange-engaging means (jaw end) can adjust its position and assume a diagonal position on the rail (see Fig. 7 When this occurs the jaw end of the anchor and the lip on the leg that is nearest the cross-tie is pulled tightly against the rail edge effecting a shackle grip between the jaw and lip. The other lip is eased up a bit under this condition, but nevertheless still exerts a transverse pressure on the edge of the rail base flange.

When in its applied position, the vibrations and stresses to which the anchor is subjected do not force the legs together. Due to the design and distortion the legs seek to assume their normal position. Thus, each leg exerts a pressure in a direction opposite to that exerted by the other leg, whereby a firm grip on the rail base flange is produced. 1

The anchor illustrated in Figure 1, due to the fact that the leg 1 lies in the same plane as the side of the rail flange-engaging means 5 and the side 12 of the lip as well as the tieabutting means 13 and 14, is a one way anchor. It must be applied with the tie-abutting means 13 and 14 next to the cross-tie. In all other respects this anchor is similar to that described and illustrated in Figure 3. It has an added advantage, however, in that no special tool is required to apply the anchor since the member 1 bears against the tie the member 3 may be driven with any available implement toward the tie, whereas in the other forms tongs and like tools are necessary.

Since it is obvious that various changes may be made in the above described details without departing from the nature of the invention, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the exact specific details above set forth except as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A one-piece rail anchor comprising a pair of legs adapted to extend transversely across the bottom surface of a rail base, said legs being disposed at an angle to each other whereby each leg has one end in close proximity to the end of the other leg and the opposite end substantially spaced from the opposite end of the other leg, separate rail base flange-engaging means disposed on each of the spaced ends and adapted to be flexed one toward the other in applying the anchor to a rail, andrail flange-engaging means disposed at the opposite ends.

2. A one-piece rail anchor comprising a pair of legs adapted to extend transversely across the bottom surface of a rail base, said legs being disposed at an angle to each other, rail flange-embracing means connecting said legs at one end of the anchor and adapted to grip the top and bottom surfaces of thebase flange embraced, and means at the other end of each of said legs for engagement with the edge of the base flange at the other side of the rail, said means comprising lips, one of which normally projects above the upper edge of the other to provide initial engagement with the edge of said base flange engaged while the other of said lips remains beneath the bottom surface of the base of the rail.

3. A one-piece rail anchor comprising a leg adapted to extend transversely across the underface of a rail base, rail flange-engaging means disposed on opposite ends of and lying in the same vertical plane as said leg, another leg disposed at an angle to said firstnamed leg whereby each leg has one end in close proximity to an end of the other leg and the opposite ends thereof spaced apart and adapted to be flexed one toward the other in applying the anchor to a rail, lips disposed on the spaced-apart ends of the legs, and rail flangeengaging means disposed on the opposite ends of said legs.

4. A one-piece rail anchor comprising a leg adapted to extend transversely across the under surface of a rail base, rail flange-engaging means disposed on opposite ends of and lying in the same vertical plane as said leg, another leg disposed at an angle to said firstnamed leg whereby each leg has one end in close proximity to an end of the other leg and the opposite ends thereof spaced apart, lips disposed on the spaced-apart ends of the legs, and rail flange-engaging means disposed on the opposite ends of legs, said rail flange-engaging means comprising two parallel connected rail flange-engaging means and so positioned relative to the spaced apart ends of the legs to exert an upward thrust at the said spaced apart ends.

5. A rail anchor comprising a metal plate bent uponitself to provide two diverging legs for extending across beneath a rail, f rmed at the folded end with inwardly projecting jaws for engagement with the top surface of one base flange of the rail and formed beneath said jaws with bearing surfaces for engagement with the bottom of the rail; the other end of said legs being provided with means for engagement with the vertical edge of the base flange at the other sine of the rail; adapted to be flexed one toward t is other in applying the anchor to the rail.

6. A rail anchor comprising a metal plate bent upon itself to provide two diverging legs for extending across beneath a rail, formed at the folded end with inwa-rdly projecting jaws for engagement with the top surface of one base flange of the rail and formed beneath each of said jaws with a surface for engagement with the bottom of the rail and having a clearance recess to receive the lower corner of said base flange or.- ing the initial applying movement of the anchor, the other ends of said legs being provided with means for engagement with the vertical edge of the base flange at the other side of the rail adapted to be flexed one toward the other in applying the anchor to the rail.

7. A rail anchor comprising a metal plate bent upon'itself to provide two diverging legs for extending across beneath the rail, formed at the folded end with inwardly projecting jaws for engagement with the top surface of one base flange of. the rail and formed beneath each of said jaws with a bear ng surface fort-engagement with. the bottom of the rail; the other ends of said legs being provided with means for engagement with the vertical edge of the base flange at the other side of the rail adapted to be flexed one toward the other in applying the anchor to the rail, and formed also with bottom bearing surfaces normally disposed in a higher plane than the surfaces beneath said javv's when the anchor is free of the rail, whereby the spaced apart ends of said legs exert pressure against the bottom surface of the rail tending to rock said jaws about an axis extending longitudinally of the rail.

8. A rail anchor comprising a metal plate bent upon itself to provide two diverging legs for extending across beneath the rail, formed at the folded end with inwardly pro jecting aws for embracing the edge portion of one base flange, the other ends of said legs l't-eing provided with surfaces for bearing against the bottom surface of the rail. which faces are normally disposed in different horizontal planes with relation. to each other and provided adjacent said surfaces with up ding lips for engagement with the vera. portion of the rail base, one of said tip portions normally extending above the upper edge of the other when the anchor is free of the rail and adapted to engage over the edge of the rail base before the other of said lips clears the said edge of the base flange.

' 9. A rail anchor comprising jaw means for gripping the top and bottom surfaces of one base of a flange of a rail and with leg portions extending across beneath the rail; one of said leg portions normally standing at right angles to the length of the rail when the anchor is in its applied position and the other of said legs extending diagonallyacross said base, each of said legs being provided with a shoulder for engagement *ith a vertical edge portion of the rail base to maintain the anchor in its applied position, the shoulder on said first mentioned leg mally extending above the upper end of the shoulder of said second mentioned leg, whereby the shoulder of said first mentioned leg snaps over the edge of the rail base to locl; the anchor on the rail before the shoulder of the other said leg clears the edge of the rail base.

In testimony whereof I have afiixed my signature to this specification.

CHARLES E. SHEPHERD,

n nit. 

